Guild Wars 2

I’ve been trying to do a tanky build, but as GW2 has a different way of tanking I failed hard at it. I do not have any exotics and am doing Ascalonian Ruins for gear. What traits and stats should I aim for? This is also my first character to 80.

Well, I had a hard time deciding this too when I first got to 80. It was rough the whole time and will be since mesmer is your first 80. Since you’re a newb, buy green knight’s gear for EVERY SINGLE SLOT AVAILABLE, INCLUDING JEWELERY! Use this to run Honor of the Waves (Maybe TA, but it may be too hard for you.) p1 and p3, maybe farm frostgorge for an hour a day after your runs. You’ll be able to get your Rabid gear in no time and then use a PU, or, Prismatic Understanding build with conditions and a focus on clone death. It was my first build I used for WvW and as a Mesmer…. I was not disappointed. After using it for a while I actually salvaged the gear because I got bored from never dying and diving into 1v3 with confidence of victory. Good luck, to ya, and welcome to the mesmer community.

Overlord.7394:

Well, I had a hard time deciding this too when I first got to 80. It was rough the whole time and will be since mesmer is your first 80. Since you’re a newb, buy green knight’s gear for EVERY SINGLE SLOT AVAILABLE, INCLUDING JEWELERY! Use this to run Honor of the Waves (Maybe TA, but it may be too hard for you.) p1 and p3, maybe farm frostgorge for an hour a day after your runs. You’ll be able to get your Rabid gear in no time and then use a PU, or, Prismatic Understanding build with conditions and a focus on clone death. It was my first build I used for WvW and as a Mesmer…. I was not disappointed. After using it for a while I actually salvaged the gear because I got bored from never dying and diving into 1v3 with confidence of victory. Good luck, to ya, and welcome to the mesmer community.

No offence but what your advising isn’t very good advice, especially since he has pointed out he is running dungeons.

Anyway,
First thing you should understand OP is the meta, classes, gears and builds. The advice given to you is fine for running a condi build in WvW etc but thats pretty much it. PVE in this game revolves around direct damage…and that’s it.

Taking that into mind what i would suggest is first to stop running AC and start running CoF(path 1 and 2). Its a very fast and popular dungeon and gives Berzerker gear stats…which is the go to direct damage gear. Build up your weapons with this first focusing on 2xswords first and then a focus (if you put the other sword in the free offhand slot you will use the first for both sets, so only need 3 weapons to have 2 different sets).

Build wise the PvE “meta” for the mesmer is heavy phantasm builds as they provide the best direct damage. Try 10/20/0/25/15 picking the traits that support your phantasm’s, reflect, shorter CD’s on weapon phantasm skills and shorter CD’s on glamour skills.

As for your utilities feedback is a must have, its always good to carry a stun breaker and either of the 2 are good. You could take either of the boon signets or nullfield and all have their uses. Many people use different builds or slightly different utilities but until you actually explore mantra builds etc i would stick with these lot, or a combination. Always take feedback in PvE tho! Elite wise time warp is great and always useful in PvE situations where mobs are static.

Hopefully this gives you an idea of what makes the Mesmer a popular party member in dungeons and you will have full zerker exotics in no time ready for your next milestone.

I’ve chucked all that into a build just so you can see. You should have no problem running CoF path1 and 2 speed runs. GL

Link: http://intothemists.com/calc/?build=-N;4VPF6107cVV71;9;49J-OE2;013;217-2;9;7FvcF;0vl

I recommend following Neohearts advice… I run my build quite similar to that…

Berserkers Sword (Superior Sigil Of Accuracy)
Berserkers Pistol (Superior Sigil Of Energy)
Berserkers Greatsword (Superior Sigil Of Energy)
Berserkers Helmet (Superior Rune Of The Eagle)
Berserkers Shoulders (Superior Rune Of The Eagle)
Berserkers Chest (Superior Rune Of The Eagle)
Berserkers Leggings (Superior Rune Of The Eagle)
Berserkers Gloves (Superior Rune Of The Eagle)
Berserkers Boots (Superior Rune Of The Eagle)

Rings (2) Lv80 Exotic Zerker Rings
Accessory (2) Lv80 Exotic Zerker Earrings
Amulet (1) Lv80 Exotic Zerker Amulet
Back (1) Lv80 Rare Zerker Back Piece

Sword/Pistol Skills:
Skill1 Chain-1: Mind Slash / Chain-2: Mind Gash / Chain-3: Mind Spike
Skill2 Blurred Frenzy
Skill3 Chain-1: Illusionary Leap / Chain-2: Swap
Skill4 Phantasmal Duelist
Skill5 Magic Bullet

Greatsword Skill:
Skill1 Spatial Surge
Skill2 Mirror Blade
Skill3 Mind Stab
Skill4 Phantasmal Berserker
Skill5 Illusionary Wave

Utility Skills:
Skill6 Signet Of The Ether
Skill7 Signet Of Illusions
Skill8 Null Field
Skill9 Decoy
Skill0 Time Warp

Traits:
Domination – 20 – III / X
Dueling – 20 – II / IX
Chaos – 0
Inspiration – 10 – V
Illusions – 20 – III / IX

This is my setup pulled from a build I had looked up at the time (Not made by me, obviously) quite plain and straight forward… Zerker, I mean Power, Precision, Critical Damage%+; Your squishy, but a major power house as long as you can use your Evasive Sword Skill 2 at the right time, Maybe Decoy away, or possible swap to Greatsword and dodge roll or even lay out a Skill 5 and push them back for a few more seconds of fortitude to prep back up? I personally start out with what was said previously… I pull my GS up and active my 2 & 4 skills then (I/Myself) lay down my Decoy and step back while I swap weapons to Sword/Pistol and Active 4 to possibly 3 twice for a jump to my enemy to quickly dice them down… of course if your caught in the fight directly and the phantasms aren’t doing enough for your liking you can always shatter them once your recharges are done; of course this means either Decoy back or Illusionary Wave the enemy away and let you clones approach and explode… this could easily be repeated too with the CD times I believe if you move enough to keep the enemy busy. (I normally end the fight once my Illusionary Duelist (Pistol Skill4) is activated to lay down a heavy Critical for a total of at least 45-50k.. if that doesn’t finish the PvE fight then simply shatter them all and you’re probably already in the clear after that much damage to an enemy (a normal one anyway, veterans and above excluded) If you really get into a pinch full of enemies… and your clones are dying fast and so are you… summon up 3 Phantasms and Use your Signet Of The Ether to quick heal and Decoy away from the scene to regroup yourself. Condition wise… your null field explains itself pretty well… it takes your foes BUFFS and cures your DE-BUFFS (you don’t not get your foes buffs placed on yourself however) this skill is pretty good if you get hit with heavy poison/burning/bleeding/Confusion… We also cant forget to let loose our stun breaker if the need be which is again, Decoy. If you want you can use a Scepter/Pistol or Sword/Focus whichever tickles your fancy to gain a secondary stun breaker… Overall even though you are SQUISHY you can still easily survive almost any situation given good finger work on the keyboard and active movement by keeping you distance if your having troubles… This has by far been my favorite build since this has so many ways to be distant from the situation all the way from how to go from close quarters instantly back to long range and be able to survive an onslaught of mobs (not too many though of course, Mesmers can only be so amazing, haha) All in all, at least try this example out its pretty beast once you get it all setup and functioning… On a personal level note, if your not good at being close quarters and squishy then switch up and throw down your sword/pistol skill4 first and maybe a skill5 and swap out to your Greatsword for some distance and mob control. I tend to find myself liking to play with my dodge button every 5 seconds that I don’t have an evasive skill cooled down or a knock-back skill available… In the worst case scenario you can always shatter your illusions and cause daze to momentarily get a head start on escaping in tight spots.

P.S. TONS OF POSSIBILITIES – Find your own or see if you can adapt another build to your own liking; either way play the way thats fun!